2017 LA Lights Rhythmic Gymnastics Tournament of Champions!

We are absolutely delighted to have your participation in this monumental event. It is our pleasure to ensure that you and your athletes receive the highest caliber of competition and the utmost wonderful experience while competing alongside the greatest rhythmic gymnasts on the planet.

AWARDS – Age groups will be according to the updated Rhythmic R&P. By the decision of the Meet Director, levels 3-5 will be awarded using the USAG sub divisions of JA,JB,CC, etc. All levels greater than 5 will not be using the USAG sub divisions; just Child, Junior, Senior.

COACHES/FOREIGN COACHES USAG # – 2017 LA Lights is a sanctioned competition and will follow rules and policies set by USA Gymnastics. USA Gymnastics requires all gymnasts, coaches and judges participating in USA Gymnastics sanctioned events to be registered members of USA Gymnastics. Please submit your Membership application directly to USAG. For more information, please contact USA Gymnastics Member Services by telephone at 800.345.4719, by fax number (317) 692-5212 or at the following e-mail address: membership@usagym.org

ONE COACH – We have repeatedly announced this policy to avoid any last minute confusion or disconcert prior to the competition date. However, due to the very high caliber of competitors and the limited space available at the competition site, each club is required to submit (1) Head of Delegation Coach per 7 competing athletes or fraction thereof. For instance if you have 6 competing athletes, you can not request (1) head coach and (1) assistant coach and (1) team manager – this is strictly prohibited and will pose as a severe and eminent safety concern for the gymnasts competing. Once your athletes have completed their competition, we kindly ask that you relocate from the warm-up areas and make your way to the guest lobby, Rotunda Room, audience seating area or to the beautiful exterior water fountain to continue social engagements with friends and affiliates. Please do not interrupt the competition floors in any capacity, and to avoid an unwanted request to leave the area by event security, we trust that all will uphold the policy enclosed accordingly as their are plenty of areas throughout the venue to enjoy the company of friendship and the elite competition.

If you have not already submitted your choice of Head Coach per 7 athletes or fraction thereof on or before January 24, 2017, the LA Lights committee will assign one for your club and ONLY provide credentials for that individual. There will be very little that can be done following this decision and credential processing. We urge you to return your responses by the set deadline. All other associate coaches will be required to purchase a day pass at the discounted rate of $25.00 and will have full access to the Rotunda Room for warm-up prior to entering the competition main auditorium. Please be advised.

Head Judge of Delegation will be provided a credential and must wear it at all times. Due to recent world events, security will be especially enforcing entrance and exit policies and ALL permitted officials must wear credentials at ALL times – there is absolutely NO exceptions.

SCORE SHEETS – Computer generated score forms are required for level 7-8 athletes. All score sheets (4 copies of each) must be RECEIVED via mail on or before January 16, 2017. An administrative fee of $20 per athlete will be assessed and cannot be negotiated if materials not provided on time. We appreciate your cooperation in advance. Please mail all the HARD copies to LA School of Gymnastics c/o LA Lights: 8450 Higuera St, Culver City, CA 90232 USA.

MUSIC – All music MUST be submitted a minimum of 1 hour prior to the athlete’s rotation and dropped with an allocated staff near the music engineer.

The music MUST be clearly marked with the competing athletes FIRST and LAST name, Club Name, Apparatus Clearly Marked, length of music and music name. At no time during the course of the competition is anyone allotted to interrupt, communicate while competition is in progress or otherwise address the music engineer in any capacity unless explicitly requested by a member of the LA Lights committee. Any and ALL participants are required per rules and regulations to “TEST” the music prior to the competition date AND carry an extra copy of the music in the event of any technical difficulties. Obvious, visual scratches or errors in recording will automatically result in a scratch from the rotation of the athlete. Therefore, ALL music must be tested, an additional copy brought to the competition site, dropped off 1 hour prior to rotation, remove case or any other exterior items, all names, apparatus, club and level must be printed in ENGLISH on the CD to avoid any disruption to the competition rotation and timeline.

FLASH AND VIDEO PHOTOGRAPHY – Special precaution will be made this year to ensure the highest safety for our athletes and coaches. There will be absolutely NO large tri-pods allowed into the venue, or flash photography of any kind. Anyone from a press organization whether digital, print or television must complete a press credential form PRIOR to entering the competition arena, pending approval from the Meet Director. If you have an iphone or other smart phone or tablet, please make sure that the flash is removed at ALL times to avoid injury to the gymnast and of course, to ensure that this protocol is upheld to avoid ejection from the competition venue. Re-sale of any photos or video of the LA Lights tournament is strictly prohibited and is a Federal crime. Small hand held devices are for the personal use and enjoyment of audience participants only.

GALA FORM/MUSIC SUBMISSION – All gala performances must have music clearly labeled with the length time of the song, first and last name in English of athlete, name of song, country of origin and level. A maximum of 10 gala performances will be allotted, 4 have already submitted their requests. The Gala is limited to ONLY level 9/10 participants. All Gala forms must be submitted via email on or before Jan 25, 2017 or at the Official meeting on January 26 2017 at 7:30pm or the request will be considered ineligible. Music must be provided a MINIMUM of 1 hour prior to the gala performance start time – NO EXCEPTIONS.

OFFICIAL/COACHES/JUDGES MEETING – Meet Referee and Meet Director will be hosting a pre-event meeting on Thursday, Jan 26, 2017 at the competition site promptly at 7:30pm. It is imperative that everyone attends this meeting as the Meet Referee will make a final call as to whether the Tournament will be judged under the NEW FIG rules & policies or will remain as an exhibition for the FIG portion of the event. Please have all forms for judging purposes should the meet referee make this modification. One event program will be provided PER CLUB to include the event schedule, rules and policies link references, hotel information, local transportation, hospitals, local attractions, event competition information, rotations and awards schedule.

As always, if you have any questions, we are here to ensure that your stay in Los Angeles is enjoyable and your experience at the Tournament serves to be a great one for you and your athletes. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions!

TRANSPORTATION – The official La Lights Tournament of Champions is now accepting pre-registration for LAX van, car and free upgraded pick up for your team. Vans/busses will be limited, pre-register EARLY to secure your ground transportation. 1, 2, 3, and 4-day transportation packages are now available, excursions may be reserved with your transportation package. Visit www.lalightsmeet.com for transportation reservations, vans, buses, and 5+ mini vans are limited! http://lalightsmeet.com/transportation/

HOTEL INFO – We are pleased to have you stay at our upgraded hotel and take pride that you have chosen us for your stay during the LA Lights Tournament of Champions event! As an athlete during competition can be stressful, at Courtyard Marriott Los Angeles Westside, we want to ensure your stay is luxurious, comfortable and as stress free as possible. At this time, the host hotel is almost SOLD OUT and we do not want you to reserve through a 3rd party or have to stay at another hotel where we can not assure you personalized service and a quality hotel experience. Therefore, please be sure to email Mrs Joyce Mak right away to facilitate your stay at the newly remodeled hotel, indicating your reservation is with the LA Lights Tournament:Courtyard Marriott Los Angeles Westside6333 Bristol Parkway
Culver City, CA 90230Hotel: 310-484-7000Direct: 310-590-2512Fax: 310-590-2593joyce.mak@hershahotels.comwww.courtyardlawestside.com

As always, if you have any questions, we are here to ensure that your stay in Los Angeles is enjoyable and your experience at the Tournament serves to be a great one for you and your athletes. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions! Wishing you much success at the 2017 LA Lights Tournament of Rhythmic Gymnastics Champions!